I only watched the highlights of the game (the extended highlights that were posted on here). From what I saw, there did seem to be more urgency & eagerness to get forward & it was very good to see.
I do believe this is the style of play Maloney has wanted to adopt all along week in week out. We did see “glimpses” of that last season & on Saturday. But some of the players either don’t have the capability (with all due respect to them) &/or the confidence to go with that capability.
2 players who come to mind are Adeeko & S. Smith. I’m not saying they’re no good, but neither look to go forward or seem too scared to do so. From what I saw of Weir on the highlights plus the comments from fans on various social media, he is the type of player we’ve needed in order to push us forward as opposed to the safe, sideways passing of the 2 I mention above. Hopefully, he can be some kind of influence for Adeeko & Smith, especially as their place in the starting 11 might no longer be guaranteed. Not forgetting we have François to return from injury. So those 2 again might find themselves right down the pecking order.
I also said a couple of weeks back when some were wanting this “hardman” in midfield. We didn’t necessarily need a Bremner or Keane type who just put in tackles, break players legs & that’s all they can do. Gerrard wasn’t someone I’d consider hard. But he had the ability to break up play & drive forward.
What I want to add finally is that although we played well on Saturday & we’re all chuffed after the win, we aren’t going to perform like this every week. It’s impossible to do so. There will be other “Reading’s” on the horizon. There’ll be other “Crawley’s.” What I’m getting at is that we are still a work in progress. It will take a couple of years but I believe we are slooooowly getting there.
Just be patient. Keep the faith & UTT!
